ABSTRACT
With emergence into adolescence children begin to take a fuller part in the general social life ; but as their social universe expands, so does their interest display a corresponding egocentricism. In particular is the awakening consciousness of self associated with an orientation of behaviour towards the theme of sex. I made no special study of adolescents in Tikopia and confined my attention almost of necessity to the examination of the institutional forms which mould their lives and provide them with the means of personal expression. But acquaintance with a number of young folk led me to formulate a few general propositions about their relationship to the main body of the community.
